Chapter 80: Repaying with Fine Jade

What, will it work or not!

Asking just means I can't wait!

Du Shanü never forgot why she works herself to the bone every day.

Isn't it exactly for that—after a day's labor outside, she returns to find the lights lit, the food warm, and her dear one warming her bed?

So when Yu Baobao asked, Du Shanü's heart softened, and she instinctively took a few steps toward him.

"Honey! I'm definitely going to use my tongue to fiercely slap your little cheek——!!!"

"Even if I shout till my throat is raw, I won't let go of that!"

Yu Baobao had pondered long before summoning the courage to ask that; she never imagined she'd get such a 'passionate' answer!

He has recently put on some meat, his upright and dignified bearing beginning to show.

Yet even so, he is clearly a head taller than Du Shanü, but his aura makes him seem much shorter than her.

When Du Shanü teases him, he doesn't know where to look.

Flustered, his ears started to redden, the flush creeping up his neck, even the fingers clutching his pack turning slightly red.

Shy.

Innocent.

Gentle.

That is Yu Baobao's true nature.

At this moment, the afterglow meets the dawn, the lingering warmth not yet faded.

The room is simply furnished—an old wooden table, two bamboo chairs—yet kept neat and clean, even the dust in the corners wiped spotless.

A warm home, a gentle lover.

Everything is so ordinary, yet ordinary to the point of being intoxicating.

This time, even if Du Shanü wanted to be serious, she couldn't manage it.

Du Shanü's heart moved; she was about to take his hand and lead him inside, but before her fingertips could touch his sleeve, Yu Baobao suddenly raised his hand, revealing the treasure hidden in his palm——

A flash of lustrous jade color struck his eyes, brighter than the lingering sunset in the corner.

That was a jade Peace Token, about the size of two fingers, its whole body a lustrous white with a hint of green, surface smooth and unmarked, edges worn round from years of handling.

Du Shanü halted, her eyes locked on the Peace Token, a vague sense dawning.

Yu Baobao's brows and eyes stayed gentle; he lifted his hand, lightly stroking the token's surface, then gently took Du Shanü's hand and placed the jade token into her palm.

This action was exceedingly gentle, yet it could not soften his gaze and tone.

Yu Baobao spoke softly:

"This is something the Taizong gave me long ago."

"Though I am not Taizong's biological son, I am as close as a son to him; he knew back then I lacked administrative talent, so he gave me only this token."

Peace Token, Peace Token.

All I wish for is peace, all I wish for is safety.

In the first half of his life, he could hold onto few things; this Peace Token, personally chosen and perforated by Taizong, is among the most important.

To him, this thing is actually far more important than a jade seal carved by skilled artisans.

Thus, when his city fell and he fled, he could only grab this Peace Token and nothing else.

"They all say I'm stupid, but I'm really not."

"When I was assassinated and fell into the Huai River, fleeing wind and rain, I knew to hide it in my inner clothes; if I met bandits, I knew to bite the token secretly in my mouth, then spit it out after they passed."

Thus, he wandered and secretly bit it all the way.

The original necklace of gold thread and gemstones had long been looted and scattered, yet this Peace Token on the chain remained with him after numerous searches.

Being beaten, of course it hurts.

Sometimes he wonders, if Taizong knew he was being beaten, he would surely tell him to throw away the jade.

But he could never bear to let go of that faint, illusory obsession.

The books say this is called 'seeing an object and thinking of emotion.'

But only after coming here did he realize that this piece of jade actually has an even more important use.

Yu Baobao gently closed Du Shanü's palm.

The jade token felt warm in hand, the warmth from the palm slowly spreading.

Yu Baobao broke into a brilliant smile, happily saying:

"My heart tells me I've kept this jade all along just to give it to you."

Give it to her?

Give it to her???

But this isn't the precious jade left by Taizong?

Du Shanü's breath caught; the originally warm jade suddenly felt hot to the touch.

She instinctively wanted to speak, in the tone of someone who's been there, to teach Yu Baobao not to casually give away such a weighty gift in the future.

Even if they wanted to become engaged, that wouldn't be necessary......

However, however.

Worldly affairs always escape a single 'however'.

In the next instant, Du Shanü heard Yu Baobao's warm voice sound in her ear.

Yu Baobao smiled, his brows and eyes full of sincerity, without a trace of pretense, only an irrepressible cherishing that moves the heart more than this heirloom jade.

"Wife Master, this is only proper."

"To me, any future oaths of sea and mountain are empty talk; a person lives but once, in reality...... only in the present."

And this Peace Token just happened to relieve his embarrassment, allowing the Wife Master to see his sincerity.

He likes to sleep, whether he was Yu Yiai, the Young Emperor, or Yu Hen... and in the end he became Yu Baobao again.

He always likes to sleep.

But that doesn't mean he doesn't understand many things.

He understands, he really understands!

Repay kindness with kindness, and sincere feelings must be revealed!

The storyteller at the tavern always talks about how a fallen general-prince meets a peasant girl, then prostrates himself, points at the mountains and seas, promises to repay kindness......

As a result, the so-called 'repaying kindness' actually meant taking someone as a concubine!

How is that right!

To repay kindness, one must have the appearance of repaying kindness!

Gold! Silver! Jewels and treasures!

Just giving a concubine's title in name—who does that disgust!

Don't say things like 'I have my difficulties, my principal wife can only be her, but I will surely protect you completely......'

To be frank, he can't even protect the position of principal wife, let alone safeguard the sole of a shoe.

He fears the Yue family's power so much that perhaps the Yue family is more important than the unfaithful man's own parents; a single glare from them makes that unfaithful man admit everything.

Really, it's disgusting.

However......

He! The Wife Master's beloved Yu Baobao!

He's nothing like those unfaithful men!

Although he doesn't have much, he at least has a piece of jade; if one day he is captured and exchanged for reward money, the Wife Master will still have a piece of jade.

That jade was picked by Emperor Taizong, of fine quality, and can certainly be exchanged for plenty of food.

As long as, before he closes his eyes, he can think of that jade still accompanying the Wife Master a little way, and finally helping her a bit......

Even in death, he would be very happy.

These words thundered like a bolt from the blue; Du Shanü was startled, her lips parting slightly, yet she could utter no words.

She has always known that Yu Baobao shares half his bloodline with the place where she herself originates.

She had made preparations, but each time Yu Baobao manages to surprise her.

The Peace Token in her hand is now thoroughly warmed by Du Shanü's body heat.

That jade is smooth and lustrous; Du Shanü rubs it with her fingertip for a few breaths, finally unwilling to let go:

"Good, I'll accept it, and I'll keep it safe from now on."

Certainly, certainly.

Yu Baobao is very happy; not knowing what he's thinking, his ear tips turn a bit redder as he mutters softly:

"I had Ouyang Yan help me exchange some red silk rope, weaving our hair into it; if the Wife Master wears it today, then from now on I will consider us bound in life and death."

"The Wife Master can do whatever she wants to me...... anything goes!"

?? What is this? It turns out to be Xiao Mao Mi! Give Xiao Mao Mi a kiss!